Improvements in and relating to tissue sampling

A kit of parts including a collecting device for collecting a tissue sample and a storage tube 500 for storing the tissue sample. The collecting device includes a punch 251 which has a cutting element 256 with a cutting edge 255a formed at a cutting end of the punch 251. The collecting device also includes a centrally located bore which extends through the punch 251 and cutting element 256. The cutting element 256 extends from and surrounds one end of the bore at the cutting end of the punch 251 to form a surrounding wall within which a sample holding cavity is held. The collecting device has a plunger 257 with a first end and an opposing second end. The plunger is located within the bore of the punch and is adapted to slide within the bore and the sample holding cavity and toward the cutting edge of the punch. The storage tube 500 includes a tube body with an open first end and a closed second end. The storage tube also has a cap 550 at the first end of the tube body. The cap has 550 a seal 557 that extends across the body of the tube to seal the first end of the tube body. The cutting edge 255a is adapted to break the seal 557 of the storage tube cap 550 to form an opening to the tube body. The collecting device is adapted to be held within the opening in the cap 550 of the storage tube to close off the first end of the tube.